SBI Report - No 45

Magazine Overview

Title: SBI REPORT
Issue: No. 45
Volume: Vol. No. 6
Date: Thursday, 18th January 1979
Publisher: SCIENTIFIC BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, INC.
Country: USA
Price: 40p net

This issue of the SBI Report, an official publication of the Scientific Bureau of Investigation, Inc., presents itself as a "non-profit scientific and educational corporation." The cover prominently features the words "ACTUAL CLASSIFIED UFO DOCUMENTS" and announces a "UFO Conference Issue." The main headline emphasizes the release of previously classified information.

Editorial

The editorial, written by James R. Leming, the Editor, expresses satisfaction with a "cooperation crusade" and a "breakthrough" achieved through a story in the MUFON UFO JOURNAL. Leming highlights the SBI's pioneering efforts in a 'simulated landing' exercise named 'PROJECT DIOGENES,' which involved reenacting a simulated alien craft landing and incorporating a hypothetical alien OSCAR. He contrasts this with his experience in MUFON, where he felt contributions were not valued. Leming announces that the SBI REPORT will now focus on providing more information about the mechanics of investigation, new cases, theories, and related aspects of UFO phenomena, moving away from overly technical jargon towards a more accessible style for the average reader. He uses the example of explaining a hovering object simply, rather than using complex technical terms.

Explanation of Documents

This section details the classified documents being presented in the issue, providing brief summaries and their origins:

• Page 4: NASA TELEX: Allegedly borrowed from NASA, this document was shown on ABC's "GOOD MORNING AMERICA." The SBI is pursuing a FOIA request for it, as it was used to retrieve other documents related to the Dr. Bennowitz movie film case.
• Page 5: 1981 USAF DOCUMENT: Described as the "best document to date," it refers to a UFO landing near a NATO Air Force Base in Brentwaters, England, in 1980.
• Page 6: 1976 MORROCO DOCUMENT: A request to the Secretary of State (Kissinger) for UFO information.
• Page 7: REPLY TO ABOVE DOCUMENT: The reply from Secretary of State Kissinger.
• Page 8: 1953 DOCUMENT: Pertaining to 'Project KLONDIKE,' a trip from New York to Kentucky involving UFO material.
• Page 9: 1950 MEMORANDUM TO FBI DIRECTOR (Hoover): Regarding the recovery of a UFO and occupants in New Mexico.
• Pages 10/11: 1973 JIMMY CARTER UFO REPORT: President Carter's UFO Report from October 1969.
• Page 12: J. EDGAR HOOVER MEMORANDUM/NOTE: Indicating the FBI's desire for more control over crashed discs.
• Page 13: 1978 DOCUMENT FROM SEC. OF STATE VANCE: A reply concerning fallen UFOs in La Paz.
• Page 14: 1973 PRESS RELEASE: From General George S. Brown on UFOs over Viet-Nam.
• Page 15: 1976 INTELLIGENCE DOCUMENT: Describing airplane encounters with UFOs near the Russian border.
• Page 16: USAF/CIA UFO LOG EXTRACTS: Detailing UFO activity over US military bases between 1975-1976.
• Page 17: 1977 DOCUMENT: A USAF response to President Carter's request for NASA to investigate UFOs, with a note indicating USAF=1 and US President=0.
• Page 18: NASA UFO INFORMATION SHEET: NASA claims no involvement in UFO documentation, yet the SBI notes they have their own information sheet on UFOs.

The publication emphasizes that this is the first time a civilian UFO organization has reprinted FOIA documents for its readers, aiming to educate Americans about the nearly 4000 pages of material received from military and intelligence agencies. These documents are provided free of charge. The "UFO DOCUMENTS" section will continue to feature at least two documents per issue.

Key Incidents and Reports Detailed

• Page 4: AFOSI Report (November 17, 1980): This report details the analysis of negatives and film related to unidentified aerial objects. Negative #1 showed a C-5A aircraft with a streaking unidentified object, deemed inconclusive due to size differential. Negative #2 depicted a cylinder-shaped object, deemed legitimate. Negative #3 showed an irregular-shaped object in 8mm film, with apparent speed making classification difficult. A 34-inch 8mm film showed a colored object moving in front of a still camera, spectrography revealing basic prism features, but depth analysis placed it within 152mm of the camera, also inconclusive. An original negative showed a saucer-shaped object approximately 37 feet in diameter with a trilateral insignia, deemed a legitimate negative. The report also notes that the USAF is no longer publicly active in UFO research but maintains interest in sightings over USAF installations. Other government agencies, led by NASA, actively investigate sightings through covert means, such as the UFO Reporting Center of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey. Project Aquarius is classified top secret, with restricted access, and the Case on Bennewitz is monitored by NASA.
• Page 5: Department of the Air Force Report (January 13, 1981): This report details an incident on December 27, 1980, near RAF Woodbridge, England. Two USAF security police patrolmen observed a strange glowing object in the forest, described as metallic, triangular, approximately two to three meters across the base and two meters high, illuminating the forest with white light, a pulsing red light on top, and blue lights underneath. The object hovered and maneuvered through trees before disappearing. The next day, three depressions (1 1/2" deep, 7" diameter) were found. Radiation readings of 0.1 milliroentgens were recorded. Later that night, a red sun-like light was seen, which pulsed, threw off glowing particles, and broke into five white objects. Subsequently, three star-like objects were noticed in the sky, moving rapidly with red, green, and blue lights, appearing elliptical and then turning to full circles. The objects remained for an hour or more, with one object to the south beaming a stream of light.
• Page 6: CONFIDENTIAL RABAT 5209 (September 25, 1976): This document details a request from the Moroccan Gendarmerie regarding UFO sightings over Morocco on the night of September 18-19, 1976. Reports came from Agadir, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, and Kenitra. The object was described as a silvery luminous circular shape, moving southwest to northeast, giving off intermittent trails of bright sparks and fragments, and making no noise. The times of sightings varied, with a majority occurring between 2122 and 0138 hours. Descriptions fell into two categories: a silver colored luminous flattened ball (disc-shaped) or a large luminous tube-shaped object. One witness, returning from Kenitra, described the object as flying parallel to the coast at a relatively slow speed, initially appearing disc-shaped but then as a luminous tubular-shaped object.
• Page 7: Department of State Document (October 2, 1976): This is a reply to the Moroccan request for UFO information. It states that it is difficult to offer a definitive explanation, referencing a 1969 US study by E.U. Condon which indicated that UFO sightings by reliable witnesses can be explained by various factors like balloons, aircraft, satellites, meteors, or astronomical objects. The document mentions checking with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and requests further descriptions or photographs. The preliminary belief is that the event was a meteor, possibly spectacular, or a decaying satellite part.
• Page 10: NICAP Report Form (October 1969): This is a report form filled out by Jimmy Carter regarding an observation in Leary, Georgia. He described the object as moving toward him, stopping, moving away, and departing. It was bluish at first, then reddish, luminous, and not solid. It was as bright as the moon at one time. He noted it did not appear to stand still, but suddenly sped up, did not break up, give off smoke, or leave a visible trail. The object was sharply outlined.

Other Document Excerpts and Mentions

• Page 8: SECRET - SECURITY INFORMATION Memorandum (March 25, 1953): Details the transportation of "relics" from New York to Fort Knox aboard the S.S. General Greely. The shipment included a wooden box containing a robe, an iron chest with other relics, and a State Department pouch. The ship's personnel referred to it as the "thing," guessing it contained parts of a "flying saucer." Arrangements were made with US Customs to waive inspection, classifying the shipment as personal baggage.
• Page 9: Office Memorandum - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (March 22, 1950): An investigator for the Air Force reported the recovery of three "flying saucers" in New Mexico. These were described as circular, about 50 feet in diameter, with raised centers, each occupied by three 3-foot tall bodies dressed in metallic cloth. The report suggests these recoveries were due to the government's high-powered radar interfering with the saucers' control mechanisms.
• Page 6: Western Daily Times (Australia; 12-24-83) and Tribune, Chicago, IL (Sept. 30, 1963): These are newspaper clippings. The Western Daily Times mentions an unexplained "formation of lights" seen above Felixstowe, described as inexplicable and erratic. The Tribune clipping discusses "U.S. FLYING OBJECTS' FALL IN W. GERMANY," reporting two mysterious unmanned "flying objects" that crashed in western Bavaria, presumed launched from a US military base.
• Page 7: HOUSTON POST (9-19-84) and CALIFORNIA GAZETTE (7-25-84): These clippings discuss NASA regulations regarding "extraterrestrial exposure" and a "mysterious silver streak" observed over California, later identified as a meteorite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The SBI Report consistently advocates for transparency and public education regarding UFO phenomena. The editorial stance is one of active investigation and dissemination of information, particularly classified documents obtained through official channels like the FOIA. The magazine aims to demystify UFO reports by presenting factual accounts and analyses in an accessible manner, moving away from overly technical jargon. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of UFO research being conducted by civilian organizations and made available to the public without charge. The "TOUCH" system (Trust, Organization, Unity, Cooperation, Harmony) is mentioned as a guiding principle for ufology.

This issue of the SBI REPORT, dated as issue number 20, is primarily focused on UFO investigations and related documents from the 1970s. The publisher is Scientific Bureau of Investigation, Inc., based in the USA. The cover headline is 'Director's Report'.

Articles and Content

Director's Report by Pete Mazzola

The International Director, Pete Mazzola, announces a new department called 'DOCUMENTS' which will reproduce at least two FOIA-released documents per issue. This issue features fifteen such documents for public inspection and convenience, emphasizing that this information should be freely available for science and education. Mazzola also advocates for free admission to UFO symposiums and conferences, believing that the public has a right to learn the facts about UFOs, government suppression, and the latest research in the field. He hopes this practice will be adopted by other civilian UFO groups to broaden interest and scope in ufology.

The report also welcomes new SBI members and lists awards given to members who enroll new members. It details changes in state directorships and chief investigator roles within the organization.

Witness Report: Leary, Georgia Lions Club

A report from Jimmy Carter, dated September 18, 1973, details a sighting by ten members of the Leary Georgia Lions Club. The object was observed for 10-12 minutes, described as having a brightness that attracted attention. It came close, moved away, and then came close again. Its apparent size was compared to the moon, possibly smaller, and varied from brighter than a planet to the size of the moon. The object disappeared by moving to a distance. The witness estimated the distance to be difficult, possibly 300-1000 yards, and its elevation about 30 degrees above the horizon. The witness believed the object was an extraterrestrial device.

Intelligence and Government Documents

Several intelligence documents are included:

• Memorandum for Mr. Laca: Discusses a matter with Colonel L. F. Forsey regarding flying discs, noting that the Bureau does not believe it should investigate, as many reported discs are pranks. It suggests advising the army that the Bureau does not believe it should go into these investigations.
• Foreign Intelligence Information Report (USSR): Details an unusual incident observed on September 10, 1976, by a British European Airways (BEA) flight from Moscow to London. The aircraft observed a blinding, constant intensity, stationary light off its starboard flight path, estimated to be 10-15 miles away and 5000-6000 feet below the aircraft. The light resembled a sodium vapor lamp and lit up the top of the lower cloud layer. The BEA pilot expressed concern and asked Soviet authorities for identification, who responded negatively. The light was observed for 10-15 minutes.
• Air Force Intelligence and CIA UFO Documents: Log extracts from 1975-76 detail various UFO sightings and related communications. This includes contact with CIA OPS Center regarding U/I flight activity over SAC bases, inquiries about U/I foreign objects, and reports of unusual occurrences near Malstrom, Montana, involving SAC radar picking up objects and F-106s being scrambled. One report mentions objects' lights being extinguished when F-106s were in visual range and turned on again when they left.
• Department of the Air Force Letter: A letter dated September 1, 1977, from Charles H. Senn, Colonel, USAF, to Lieutenant General Duward L. Crow, USAF (Ret), includes a UFO Fact Sheet and a standard response to public inquiries, expressing hope for success in preventing a reopening of UFO investigations.
• NASA Information Sheet (Number 78-1): Prepared by LFF-3/Public Services Branch, this sheet addresses queries on Unidentified Flying Objects directed to the White House and NASA. It states that NASA is the focal point for answering public inquiries but is not engaged in UFO research, nor is any other government agency. Reports of unidentified objects entering U.S. airspace are of interest to the military for defense surveillance, but the U.S. Air Force no longer investigates UFO sightings.

News Excerpts

• Press Remarks Concerning UFOs by General George S. Brown, Chief of Staff, USAF (October 16, 1973): General Brown discusses the Air Force's position on UFOs, recalling instances where unidentified objects were mistaken for enemy helicopters, particularly around the DMZ in 1968 and at Pleiku in 1969. These incidents led to engagements where no enemy was found.
• Northern Advocate (New Zealand, July 25, 1983): Reports on further sightings of strange lights in the Far North, including a green ball of light in Takahue and unexplained lights over the ocean near Ahipara. It mentions that reports and photographs are being forwarded to the Aerial Phenomena Research Organisation of America.
• Evening Telegraph (Derby, England, September 2, 1983): Discusses a UFO flap involving three hot air balloons near Ashbourne, which prompted numerous calls to police and emergency services. While the balloons are considered the most likely explanation, the society could not identify the objects, leaving the sightings a mystery.

Other Content

• Arcturus Book Service: Offers UFO literature for sale and provides subscription information for the SBI REPORT.
• SBI Membership Information: Details ten reasons for joining SBI, including payment for articles, gift certificates, awards for recruiting members, and benefits for affiliate members.
• Cow's death investigated: A brief report from North Powder, Oregon, about the investigation into the death and mutilation of a young cow, noting the removal of sexual organs and tail, reminiscent of late 1970s cattle mutilations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, government investigations (or lack thereof), witness testimonies, and the dissemination of information related to ufology. The SBI REPORT's editorial stance appears to be in favor of transparency and public access to information regarding UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the 'DOCUMENTS' department and the call for free access to UFO-related conferences. There is a clear indication that official government agencies, such as the USAF and NASA, have largely ceased active UFO investigations, with the SBI positioning itself as a key source for ongoing research and information sharing within the civilian UFO community.